New Brighton 17 – Wirral 32

 

Report by Stephen Owen

 

Team: 15. Sean Ellis, 14. Matthew Cook, 13. Vinnie Dutton, 12. Simione Mafi, 11. Brett Williams, 10. Steve Dean, 9. Alan Hesketh, 1. Joe Cardus, 2. Phil Buckley (Capt), 3. Aaron Jones, 4. Paul Roberts, 5. Jez Lamb, 6. Stuart Gratton, 7. Kenny Boyd, 8. Kati Tuipulotu

Replacements: 16. John Williams, 17. Luke Thompson, 18. Mike Gazzola

 

Hartsfield basked in the spring sunshine as a large crowd of rugby followers of both codes were treated to a feast of rugby. The final rugby union game of the season in which New Brighton were battling to maintain their North West One league status saw Wirral score four tries to New Brighton’s two in this keenly contested local derby.

 

As in recent games an early pattern emerged as an indiscretion by New Brighton saw Wirral open the scoring with three points coming from the reliable boot of fly half James Annets. New Brighton then steadied the ship and after a series of forward drives it was number 8 Kati who scored a try to give New Brighton the lead. With the try converted by fly half Steve Dean and a rare missed penalty kick from Wirral, probing runs from Steve Dean and centres Mai and Vinnie Dutton applied pressure which was rewarded with a penalty goal from Steve Dean. At this point in the game New Brighton were dominating territorially without being able to turn possession into points. The last ten minutes of the first half then showed us a glimpse of why Wirral have been able to consolidate their position in North West One this season as they took full advantage of handling errors and indiscipline by New Brighton to score ten points in as many minutes through a coverted try and a penalty to lead at the break.

 

Half time score: New Brighton 10 – Wirral 13

 

Once again for this New Brighton side the game was becoming a test of character as much as anything else as Wirral began the second half with a converted try to lead by 10 points to 20. It was crucial for the home side that they stayed in touch and a further period of New Brighton attacking pressure saw a second try for Kati converted by Steve Dean to bring the blues back to 17 points to 20. A lack of control at critical points in the game was once again illustrated as a scrum was lost on the New Brighton 22 metre line and Wirral took full advantage with their third converted try to lead by 17 points to 27. The crowd were then treated to two exciting pieces of play. Following yet another superb catch from New Brighton second row Paul Roberts who dominated the lineout all afternoon, the ball was fed to full back Sean Ellis who ran hard and straight from his own 22 into the Wirral 22 before being held up. The game was finally won for Wirral with a superb individual run and try for full back Sam Broadbent.

 

Final Score: New Brighton 17 – Wirral 32

 

A great effort from New Brighton and with our immediate league status now in the hands of other teams we look forward to a new season.

Wilmslow 57 – New Brighton 25

 

Report by Stephen Owen

 

Team: 15. Sean Ellis, 14. Luke Thompson, 13. Mafi Simione, 12. Brett Williams, 11. Matt Cook, 10. Steve Dean, 9. Alan Hesketh, 1. Joe Cardus, 2. Phil Buckley (Capt), 3. Aaron Jones, 4. Paul Roberts, 5. Jez Lamb, 6. Stuart Gratton, 7. Paea Liku, 8. Kati Tuipolotu

Replacements: 16. Mike Gazzola, 17. Charlie Ward, 19. John Williams

 

A gloriously warm afternoon at the Memorial Ground saw Wilmslow score nine tries as New Brighton lost for the first time in six matches but recorded a bonus point for scoring four tries themselves.

 

A whirlwind start saw the Wilmslow full back, King, go on the first of many runs and slice through the visitors ranks to score inside the first minute of play. Not to be outdone however, the blues swept up the field themselves and centre Mafi scored a try following a twisting and turning run to the line. A second try for Wilmslow was answered by New Brighton fly half Steve Dean who scored with a penalty kick to bring the score to 10 – 8 to Wilmslow. A second try for New Brighton dangerman Mafi saw New Brighton take the lead at 10 – 13 and with the heavier Wilmslow front five beginning to feel the pace there were optimistic signs that the visitors might push on. Despite a number of the Wilmslow forwards looking close to exhaustion as the conditions took their toll, they stuck to the gameplan and managed to recycle enough ball to a pacy backline who scored three more tries to leave New Brighton chasing the game.

 

Half time score: Wilmslow 29 – New Brighton 13

 

New Brighton’s cause was not helped by Wilmslow beginning the second half as they had started the first with a converted score to leave the blues with a real battle on their hands to get anything out of the game at 36 – 13 down. However, once again, staring down the barrel, battle is exactly what New Brighton did. Quick thinking by scrum half Alan Hesketh saw him take a quick penalty and dive over the line for a try, converted by Steve Dean. Full credit to New Brighton as they fought back with a further try from Kati which had the concerned Wilmslow support shouting that they now “had a game on their hands”. New Brighton had now secured an important and well deserved bonus point for having scored four tries in very challenging conditions. Unfortunately for the visitors, Wilmslow then took full advantage as New Brighton were reduced to thirteen men following the award of two yellow cards and proceeded to score three more tries to conclusively put the game beyond New Brighton’s reach.

 

Final Score: Wilmslow 57 – New Brighton 25

 

Full credit to the team, including replacements, who showed great spirit,battling hard in difficult conditions and crucially, not giving in at any stage. With a little more control and confidence at key moments, New Brighton might have got even closer on the day. All of these qualities will be needed next week as we face Wirral in the last game of the season.